Stay tuned as we continue to update our lineup with more speakers.
Here are a few of them you can look forward to hearing from to get inspiration:
TrendLab 2024 Europe (25th September 2024)
Stefan Gnoth - Synthos - Improvement Engineer
Yusuf Hamurcu - WeylChem Höchst GmbH- Junior Engineer
From 2020 until February 2023, Yusuf Hamurcu underwent an apprenticeship as a chemical technician, gaining hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of chemical processes. In February of 2023, Yusuf Hamurcu transitioned into a role as a junior Optimization Engineer at Weylchem Höchst. In this position, he focuses on enhancing production efficiency, reducing waste, and improving overall process performance. Simultaneously, Yusuf Hamurcu started a dual study program in chemical engineering at the Provadis Hochschule, balancing academic coursework with practical industry improvements.
Nick Pocock - Prax Group - Rotating Equipment and Reliability Engineer
Nick is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience, beginning his engineering career in the Royal Navy, before joining the Oil & Gas industry with Total Energies in 2011. Currently, he oversees asset care at Lindsey Oil Refinery, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of rotating equipment. Nick's extensive background combines practical engineering expertise with strategic reliability management, positioning him as an expert on asset maintenance, engineering best practices, and reliability engineering in high-stakes environments.
In addition to his hands-on experience, he excels in utilizing data analysis to pinpoint and diagnose equipment-related, process-induced defects. His proficiency in applying advanced analytical techniques enhances operational efficiency and pre-emptively addresses potential issues. Nick's contributions to the field are marked by a commitment to operational excellence and innovation, particularly in integrating data-driven insights into reliability engineering practices.
Christoph Kring - CABB GmbH - Senior Operational Excellence Manager
Christoph Kring holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with over 10 years of experience in Operational Excellence and Project Management. He began his career at CABB GmbH in Cologne in 2013 as a trainee, advancing to the role of Operational Excellence Manager in 2015. After serving as General Manager for CABB Jinwei Chemicals in China for two years, he transitioned to his current role as Senior Operational Excellence Manager in Gersthofen. In this position, he drives process optimization and the digitization of production, leveraging TrendMiner to develop customized dashboards and reports. His efforts have significantly enhanced efficiency across production, production planning, and sales processes. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking with his family and practicing Ju-Jutsu.
David Judersleben - Clariant - Assistant Plant Manager
David is the Assistant Plant Manager at Clariant in Hürth, Germany where he is responsible for process monitoring and continuous improvements. David holds a degree in Process Engineering and is certified as a Six Sigma Black Belt. His career began with an apprenticeship as a chemical technician at Evonik, where he gained extensive shopfloor experience. He has since held various positions in Operations and Operational Excellence, leading numerous successful projects, often utilizing software tools like TrendMiner. Soon, he will take on the role of Lead Continuous Improvement for the Business Unit Additives, where he will expand the use of TrendMiner across multiple sites.
Sascha Hartung - Synthos - Improvement Engineer
He holds a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, earned in 2015. After graduation, he worked as a Production Engineer at a biofuel plant, focusing on process optimization and production reliability. Since 2020, he has been an Improvement Engineer at Synthos, where he leads capital projects aimed at enhancing plant performance, energy efficiency, and operating conditions. His strong affinity for process data and smart solutions drives continuous improvements in plant operations.
Sebbe Lecocq - Sitech - Process Control & Optimization Engineer
He is a self-employed process control and optimization engineer based in Belgium, currently collaborating with Sitech in Geleen (NL). His focus lies in extracting maximum value from existing processes without the need for expensive new piping or equipment. He specializes in short-term, cost-effective projects that deliver high-impact results. His expertise includes process optimization, alarm management and (advanced) process control, enabling his clients to achieve significant improvements in performance and cost savings at a low investment cost.
He is also involved in developing and promoting Trendminer growth at Sitech’s customers for manufacturing process analysis and optimization. He loves to make data-driven instead of gut-feeling decisions.
Outside of his professional endeavors, he spends time with his wife and 3 kids, and he is passionate about running, snowboarding and entrepreneurship. He owns and operates a Lego store, a dream realized from his lifelong fascination with the Lego building. This venture allows him to combine his love for creativity and business and to share his passion with others. His Lego and consultancy business is combined into one company, Brickwise Controls.
TrendLab 2024 Americas (10th October 2024)
Lauren Stevens - Bayer Crop Science - Chemical Production Engineer
Susana Sosa & Carlos Amezcua - Alpek Polyester - Optimization & PTA Technology Engineer (4) & Utilities Process Engineers
Joseph Zimny - LyondellBasell - Technical Manager, POTBA & Sean Heffernan - LyondellBasell - Associate Engineer
Anam Ahmed - Kuraray America, Inc. - Production Engineer She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. After graduating in 2019, she started working for Kuraray America Inc. in the capacity of Process Engineer before transitioning into her current role of Production Engineer. In the context of her current role, she provides technical assistance for the production of Polyvinyl Alcohol while utilizing digital solutions to improve data visibility and enhance decision-making on troubleshooting and streamlining operations.
Markham has been with Orion since August 2023. Once he joined Orion, he found himself frequently using Trendminer for day-to-day monitoring and operations optimization/troubleshooting for many of Orion's sites. After 8 months of training at Orion's Orange, TX facility, he married his wife Rachel, and relocated to The Woodlands, TX. Prior to that, he was a sulfur recovery engineer for Motiva enterprises, LLC for one and a half years, and has completed one internship at Valero where he worked an Alky/FCC/ULSD turnaround in the summer of 2019. In his spare time, Markham enjoys playing the guitar, listening to classic rock, deer hunting, and karaoke.
Arthur Fernandes Fornari - Nouryon - Process Analytics Engineer
Arthur is an accomplished Process Analytics Engineer with a progressive career spanning over six years at Nouryon. Currently, he serves as a Senior Process Analytics Engineer in Houston, Texas, focusing on regional process improvement projects, advanced process control techniques, and data analytics. Arthur has previously worked in site-based roles, enhancing operational efficiency through targeted projects and leadership in Root Cause Analysis, process safety management, and Lean Six Sigma initiatives, significantly contributing to cost savings. Academically, Arthur holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from USP - Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil) and is pursuing a Master's degree in Data Analytics - Business Track at Georgia Institute of Technology, demonstrating his commitment to integrating advanced data analytics into business processes.
Keep an eye out for further updates as we finalize our list of speakers. We are excited to see you at the events!
Here are a few of them you can look forward to hearing from to get inspiration:
